Suffolk: Prime Minister David Cameron reveals Suffolk could be at the heart of the recovery, ahead of today’s visit to the region

10:02 17 January 2014

Annabelle Dickson
Political editor

The A14 at Trimley

Modern roads and railways will put Suffolk at the heart of the recovery, Prime Minister David Cameron has said ahead of a visit to the region today.

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Mr Cameron said that improved roads and railways were a vital part of his long-term plan to secure Britain’s future.

He said: “Today I’m visiting the East of England to talk about the government’s commitment to all of this.

“I’m coming here because this is the part of Britain – outside of London and the South East – where we’re planning to put the most money into transport.”

Last year Chancellor George Osborne set up a rail task force to look at the finer details of where money needs to be spent to improve the service from Ipswich to London.

The government’s spending plans between 2013 and 2019 include almost £2billion for projects including £1.5bn for the A14 upgrade.

Mr Cameron said: “Why does this all matter so much? Well put simply, the jobs of the future depend on infrastructure fit for the future.

“It is the foundation stone on which businesses can grow, compete and create jobs – jobs that provide security for families everywhere.

“So here in Suffolk there are going to be a number of improvements to the transport network.

“We’ve also confirmed that we’ll be starting upgrades on the Cambridgeshire stretch of the A14 in the years ahead. On top of this, we’re widening the A11 – as well as boosting rail capacity around Ipswich.

“As Britain comes out the other side of the Great Recession, I want Suffolk to be right at the heart of our recovery.

“What’s needed now is an all-out commitment to make sure those jobs and opportunities flow here in the years to come.

“With this investment in infrastructure – the biggest since the Victorian era – I’m determined to make sure they do.”

Members of the employment team at regional law firm Birketts raised more than £1,000 for Breast Cancer Care by taking part in the Tour de Wellbeing virtual cycle race, held by EMCOR UK to coincide with the Tour de France.